NCOSS Sector e-News 14 May 2020

A MESSAGE FROM NCOSS CEO

Dear All,

Following on from our latest Cost of Living in NSW report and COVID-19 Supplementary Paper, NCOSS and NSW housing and homelessness peaks have jointly commissioned economic modelling to highlight the multiple benefits from a social and affordable housing-led recovery.

The report identifies the downturn in housing construction from less international migration; loss of jobs in the construction industry with flow-on impacts to other businesses; and how rising unemployment will increase homelessness in NSW by between 22% and 45%.

The report also puts forward solutions that will grow jobs, support small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and look after the most vulnerable. These include a state-wide social and affordable housing infrastructure program in conjunction with the construction and community housing industries to deliver 18,000 high-skilled jobs for regional as well as metro areas, and rapid roll-out of an expanded maintenance program for existing social housing stock to support 4,200 jobs.

It also includes an immediate, cost effective and practical solution for people currently housed in temporary accommodation at risk of returning to homelessness and unsafe conditions - at the same time supporting the housing market and household wealth.

Evident prior to COVID-19, we know that literacy challenges can be a real barrier for people getting on with their day-to-day lives, particularly if they need to access support. Community organisations can spend a lot of time – often unrecognised – supporting people to fill in complex forms to meet their basic daily needs. We are keen to better understand the extent of this support, the nature of the challenges and the strategies that could assist – and to this end, NCOSS has partnered with the Reading and Writing Hotline to undertake a research project that will explore the issue. You can read more about the project here. Complete our online survey and help us understand the extent of this issue for you, your teams and your clients by clicking on this link Helping Your Clients Fill in Forms - Online Survey. (The survey will remain open until Thursday 28 May).

It’s great to see that the NSW Centre for Volunteering have set up an Emergency Support Volunteering website in partnership with the NSW Government. The new platform connects community members with charities, NGOs and councils in need of support during the pandemic, and has the capacity to be used beyond COVID-19. Well done to Gemma Rygate and her team for this great initiative. If you are an organisation in need of volunteers in relation to the COVID-19 emergency – register your interest here: Emergency Support Volunteering – Organisations.

The JobKeeper scheme has been somewhat of a movable feast, and has caused a lot of confusion for NGOs. Thanks to the COSS network and Professor David Gilchrist from the University of Western Australia, there are some useful resources tailored to the sector that should answer all your questions, which you can access below.

- Joanna Quilty, NCOSS CEO

NCOSS News

Tell Us How the Raise in JobSeeker Payments Has Impacted Your Life

On 30 April the Senate Inquiry into the Adequacy of Newstart recommended that JobSeeker (formerly Newstart), Youth Allowance and Parenting Payments be increased once the Coronavirus Supplement is phased out. Last week, a national Essential Poll showed 57% of Australians supported a permanent increase. Thousands of Australians struggled to live on $40 a day before the JobSeeker payment was doubled in March. NCOSS would like to hear how this raise in payment has positively impacted you or your clients. If you are comfortable sharing a sentence or two about your experience, and what you are now able to do because of your improved financial situation, please email [email protected] Any stories received will be de-identified and used in NCOSS advocacy work.

New Australian Government Funding and Policy Changes to Support the Community Sector

Last week the Federal Government announced incentives for philanthropic funds to give more support to charities during COVID-19, and declared the COVID-19 pandemic a ‘disaster’ for the purpose of establishing disaster relief funds as DGRs, allowing these funds to receive tax deductible donations. An additional $63.3 million for the legal assistance sector was also announced with funding going towards additional frontline legal services with a focus on matters involving domestic violence, and IT costs to support the sector’s transition to delivering assistance virtually and online. Given the dramatic increase in the numbers of people seeking advice and assistance from community legal centres during the pandemic, this is a much needed boost to these essential services.

Are Your Organisational Details Up To Date on the HSNet Platform?

HSNet is a free website available to anyone looking for a service in NSW. The site is mobile-ready and works on any internet-enabled device including tablets and smartphones, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For professionals in the human and justice sector, HSNet also offers free membership with access to resources and tools to improve communication and collaboration in the delivery of services to communities in NSW. To maximize the value of this database, it’s important to ensure that service provider details are up-to-date so that those searching can find the correct information. You can find out how to update service details on the FACS website or make changes directly in HSNet. You will also find weekly dashboards that have been produced since 21 March 2020. The Week 6 dashboard highlights increases in searches for food, housing, domestic violence and legal services, providing valuable information about increasing demand in these areas arising from the pandemic.

Updated JobKeeper Information

While the deadline for charities and NFPs wanting to claim JobKeeper payments from the beginning of April has passed, there is useful information in the webinar recording presented by Prof. David Gilchrist and Thomas Emery (UWA) around key elements of JobKeeper Payment applicability and accounting. Prof Gilchrist has also provided updated presentation slides and a Q&A document based on questions raised in the webinar.

In Brief

First Interim Report on the Implementation of the National Redress Scheme – The Joint Select Committee on the Implementation of the National Redress Scheme tabled its first Interim Report on 1 May 2020. The report contains 14 recommendations to help direct the Second Anniversary Review of the Scheme, set to commence prior to 1 July 2020. (If you or anyone you know needs support, please contact one of the NSW Redress Support Services).

National Reconciliation Week Events during COVID-19 - During this year’s National Reconciliation Week (27 May - 3 June), Reconciliation Australia is encouraging everyone to think differently and creatively about planned events, such as taking events online and joining social and digital media conversations. They have also produced posters and digital resources in line with this year’s theme – In This Together.

National Carer Survey - Carers NSW and the other State and Territory Carer Associations have released a national carer survey to gather insight into the lives and experiences of carers across the country.

Neighbourhood Centre Week, 8-15 May 2020 - Neighbourhood Centre Week celebrates the invaluable contribution neighbourhood and community centres make to local communities. This year is highlighting the social and policy issue of loneliness, and the role Neighbourhood Centres play in connecting people and communities, providing a safe and non-intimidating open door for those who feel alone and isolated.

Sector Professional Development

THE LEADER'S CHALLENGE: Leadership Development Experience

THE LEADER'S CHALLENGE is a free 6-month leadership development experience for leaders and aspiring leaders working (or volunteering) in any social services (disability, mental health, health, community services, etc), anywhere in Australia. The entire program is digital and there are no pre-requisites.

Centre for Social Impact (CSI) Scholarships Round 2 2020

Each year, the Centre for Social Impact (CSI) awards various scholarships to students. Scholarships are merit based and awarded to new and continuing students who demonstrate commitment and leadership to better social outcomes in the business, public and/or social purpose sectors.

The current COVID-19 environment has seen a significant increase in the number of people working from home, as well as a move to virtual teaching in schools across the country. Unfortunately, we are also seeing a corresponding rise in cyber-crime.

Grant-Seeking Through & Beyond COVID-19 - 26 May 2020, Online

Sector News & Resources

The COVID-19 Fundraising Template Kit for Nonprofits

The templates in "The COVID-19 Fundraising Template Kit for Nonprofits" by DonorPerfect are meant to save your staff members time while helping you effectively engage your donors. All you need to do is copy them, paste them into a doc, and fill in the blanks to tailor them.

Working from Home During COVID-19: Claiming Expenses

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) have released a quick and simple method your staff can use to calculate home office expenses when working from home during COVID-19. People working from home will be able to claim a deduction for the additional running expenses they incur.

Anxious, Insecure & Unemployed - Australians' Experiences of COVID-19

New research has revealed big job losses, high levels of anxiety, and a picture of hardship and distress among Australians. Two-thirds of Australians say they feel anxious or worried about their own and others' safety and more than 600,000 have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.

Doing What Matters in Times of Stress: An Illustrated Guide

The World Health Organization (WHO)'s "Doing What Matters in Times of Stress: An Illustrated Guide" is a stress management guide for coping with adversity. The guide aims to equip people with practical skills to help cope with stress. A few minutes each day are enough to practice.

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